Arguably the most prestigious teenager in European football right now. Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is certainly turning a lot of a heads, grabbing the attention of a whole host of top European clubs through his excellent performances so far this season.
25 Ligue 1 outings this season at the age of just 17 is a strong indication of the kind of qualities Camavinga holds in his unique arsenal. His emergence came in the impressive victory over French champions Paris Saint-Germain last summer where he kept the likes of Angel Di Maria and Marco Verratti in his little pocket.
That specific game pointed him out as the next big thing in the country, not long after that, he was rewarded with a call up to the French Under-21 squad. Eduardo Camavinga captured the imagination of many before the Ligue 1 season was curtailed, putting in some mature, dominant and thrilling performances in the middle of the park at just the tender age of 17.
This scout report will provide a brief overview of his swift emergence on the scene, and how he’s contributed to the unprecedented success of Rennes this season.
Who is Eduardo Camavinga?
Born in Miconge, Angola. Eduardo Camavinga and his family migrated to France when he was two years old. Him and his five siblings grew up in Fougeres. Picking up a love for Judo at a young age, Camavinga decided to instead pursue a career in football. At the age of 11, he joined the Rennes academy.
He then went on to sign his first professional contract in December 2018, at the age of 16, becoming the youngest ever professional for the club. Camavinga emerged as a key figure for the reserve side, making 13 appearances, scoring 4 goals. It wasn’t long before he made his debut for the first team due to his fantastic maturity at such a young age, his abilities on the ball and positional understanding. His maiden appearance came against Angers in a 3-3 draw, becoming the youngest ever player to feature for the first team.
That game against Paris Saint-Germain placed him on the map, in what was an astute, composed and assured performance by the youngster. He was 16 at the time. However, his stats highlighted the performance of a player beyond his years. 41 passes made, with a staggering 97.6% accuracy. 1 key pass, and 3 tackles.
Camavinga’s growth and maturity didn’t stop there.
What’s Camavinga’s style of play?
The 17-year-old has taken in his task like a duck to water. When he enters the pitch, nothing fazes him. Camavinga has stuck at his role and responsibility with a maturity beyond his years, with some impressive and controlled performances, week in week out showing that he certainly deserves the accolades and praises thrown at him.
Even though he’s earmarked to step into the boots of N’golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba in the future, he’s a blend between all three of them. Destructive in the tackle, a marauding box-to-box midfielder and an elegant, imaginative midfielder. Rennes have managed to win against some tough opponents this past year, both domestically and in Europe, with Camavinga playing a major part of those duels.
When analysing Camavinga’s game, its vitally important to focus on his maturity, understanding and sense for the game in terms of his potential. The youngster can become one of the best in his position if he keeps working hard and continuing his rapid progress.
The French midfielder is a true embodiment of the modern football control ideology in the middle area of the pitch. He’s a true metronome, building attacks for his team and organising and screening the middle areas the way he sees fit. He operates in the areas that a deep-lying playmaker would work in, but Camavinga offers so much more. He blends that role with a defensive-midfielder and a roaming playmaker.
He works all around the field, focusing his game in midfield but floating in areas of the pitch where he can be most effective, whether in the half-spaces or coming closer to goal.
The above heat image shows his impact and contribution in front of the defence as a deep-lying player. His higher movements come when he is tasked with pressing his opponents and making runs in order to create passing lanes and options for his teammate.
His main job in this role, is to become the orchestrator, one who is well-versed in picking up the ball from his goalkeeper, or centre-backs in order to build attacks by finding team-mates in pockets of space or if he is given the opportunity, drive up the pitch which he is very well capable in performing.
His body positioning, tactical understanding of his role and movement makes it easier for his team to play across the pitch when under-pressure. He constantly uses the blind spots of his opponents in order to move into space where he can get the ball to organise the progression of the team’s attacks. Camavinga averages 40 passes per game, with a passing accuracy of nearly 90%.
The French youngster is so adept for his age, a cold-blooded player who holds no fear when moving across the pitch. What’s also impressive is his incredible knack of beating the opposition’s press. His silky close ball control and technique allows him the freedom to take risks, becoming confident in the fact that he’s abilities on the ball will get him by his marker with ease. His stats for a defensive-minded player with an attacking attitude make for telling reading.
Camavinga’s vision and screening of play around him makes it possible for him to control the rhythms of matches as he is so adept at noticing the play around himself. His decision-making is excellent also, making passes into teammates well positioned to receive them and making well-timed tackles in order to win the ball back quickly. The wonderkid is a fantastic component in the counter-pressing system, capable of winning the ball back as soon as his teammates lose it.
To put it simply, Camavinga has it all. It’s staggering to note, that he is just 17 years of age. The way in which he expresses himself on the pitch certainly does not exert youth, but valuable experience. It’s no surprise that many of Europe’s elite are all fighting to secure his signature.
Is he ready to make a move now?
What Camavinga must avoid is making a career decision that will be detrimental to his rapid growth, and that certainly includes joining a club where he won’t get the game time needed or provided the opportunity and attention to thrive.
Big clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid won’t be good for him, as they are teams wanting success for the here and now. Camavinga must choose a side where a long-term plan to build a successful squad is in place, also a club who place huge emphasis on its youth, granting them much opportunities and allowing them room to grow.
Clubs such as RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund in Germany would suit him to a tee, however there is no reported interest from such clubs so maybe it will be best for Camavinga to stick it out at Rennes for a season or two and improve his game. The club have qualified for the Champions League for next season after their impressive third placed finish.
It’s so vital to remember that he is still 17, and while there is an excitement at his incredible potential, he must be given room to make mistakes without much pressure. Rennes will provide him with that opportunity, its experiences such as those which will stand him in good stead for a successful future.
No doubt about it, Eduardo Camavinga is indeed a prestigious young talent.
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